Golf putting aid



Oct. 28, 1958 1 M SELF 2,858,133 GOLF PUTTING AID Filed Dec. 27, 1957 FII.

FEE Q 24 HHHHHHHH IIHIHHHIII'IHHHII IHHHHHIHIHHII HHHHHH L BY JAMESVLSELF @W4/65W ATTYS.

United States Patent r* GOLF PUTTING AID 'James M. Self,`Mobile, Ala., assigner to John M. Beachy, agent `Application December 27, 1957, Serial No. 705,646 6 Claims. (Cl. 273-186) The present invention relates broadly to the game of golf and more specifically to apractice device for improving an individuals putting or putting stroke. V

While many devices heretofore have been utilized for aiding a golfer in making accurate `golfing strokes with various clubs, the devices for 'the most part"have neglected the putting stroke. Asis well-known, proper and accurate putting is of the utmost importance in obtaining a good score.

i `It isan object of the present invention to provide a device -designed to give the golfer a much more accurate putting stroke with a consequent reduction in golfing score. As is known, proper putting consists in stroking the ball by vmoving `a putter straight back and` straight through and forward. While this lis common knowledge, its actual accomplishment is very seldom obtained and different individuals have different opinions of what straight back and straight through consists in.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a putting instruction aid which is simple in construction and which lends itself readily to rapid and easy setting up, and dismounting after practicing.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a putting aid device which when utilized only for a short time will minimize problems of a golfer in putting, and which device is susceptible of use indoors or outdoors.

Another object of the present invention is to provide in such a device visual means for indicating to the user whether or not proper alignment of a putting stroke is being maintained, and which additionally incorporates therein means for placing tension or force upon a putter which leads to improvement of the putting stroke under actual game playing conditions.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the putting device mounted in practice condition;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary diagrammatic view, indicating relative positions ofthe club during different phases of a putting stroke;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view indicating visually an error in a forward putting stroke; and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing visually an error in the backward phase of the putting stroke.

As shown in the drawings, the device includes a base which consists of an elongated band, preferably composed of rubber or the like, and in one practical embodiment having a width between 2 and 3 inches and a thickness between 1/8 and 1A inches. Manifestly different materials and dimensions can be utilized dependent upon individual requirements or desires. Means are provided in the opposite ends of the base, indicated at 12, which are holes extending through the base and adapted for securement or placement of the base in operative position. Means such as hooks 14, or spikes or the like,

ice

can be utilized for securing the base in vthe practice or playing position in a stationary or temporary manner either indoors or outdoors. If desired, of course, the base can `be hooked around a chair or table leg for use indoors.

`One practical embodiment of the invention utilizes a normal length of approximately 6 feet which is stretched to approximately 10 feet for use, and secured as shown by the elements 14 in Fig. 1. A straight. stripe 16 of a color contrasting with the base 10 is provided on the upper surface thereof, and extends substantially the full length of the base, terminating in a simulated cup 18 of the usual circular pattern. This stripe 16 can be painted on the base or placed thereonin any manner known in the art. p

An elastic band 20 is secured at one end 22 to the base 10, in superimposed and aligned relationship with the stripe 16. This band 20 is of a color preferably contrasting with the base and the stripe 16, and in one application consists' of a white band with a width substantially equal` tothat of the stripe. The band 20 has at its freeend `an opening or hole 24, adapted to slip around the p utter shaft and in use this band ts the shaft at its lowest point just above the putter head. This relationship between 'the elastic band and the putter is more clearlyfshown inV Figs. 1 and 3. The putter head being indicated at 26 and the shaft at 28. l Ay series `of spacedparallel lines A, B,C, and D, which can be either dotted or continuous are arranged on the upper face of base 10.v These lines are for the purpose of showing the position the putter must be placed in or moved to, to obtain the best results, and the positions can be adjusted for different individuals to provide increased or lessened tension for making practice putting strokes as will appear hereinafter. Position A indicates the extremity of the band 20 in its normal non-stretched condition. When utilizing the device for practicing the putting stroke, the shaft 28 of the putter is rst placed through the hole 24 in the elastic band 20 at position A. Subsequently, the putter head 26 is moved to position B which places an initial tension on the band due to its stretching, and this is the position where the putting stroke should begin or where the ball in actual practice would lie. In one practical embodiment referred to above, the distance from A to B is approximately 11/2 feet in length. With this starting position B, the putter head is then moved backwardly in the back stroke to the position C which leaves a reduced tension on the elastic band. Thereafter, the putter is moved forwardly on the forward or putting stroke to the position D. The forward or putting stroke therefore extends' from position C to position D with a commensurate increase in the tension.

It has been found that after a short period of practice putting with this tension band, and moving the putter away from the ball and making the forward or putting stroke with the increased tension, greatly enhances putting under actual game conditions. The position of the putter and putter head during the various phases or steps of the putting stroke are diagrammatically illustrated 1n Fig. 3, the lines of movement being indicated by arrows with arrow 30 being the original tensioning of the band from position A to position B. The back stroke is indicated by arrow 32, while the forward or putting stroke consists of the arrow portion 32 and the arrow portion 34.

By reference to Figs; 4 and 5 another aspect of the invention will be clearly understood. The stripe 16 represents the line of movement, or line of flight of the club and the ball, toward the simulated cup 18. The object in utilizing this practice device is, during all movements of, and position of, the putter and putter head, to

maintain the elastic band 20- correctly aligned in superi imposed fashion over the-Stripe-I. Inv-Fig. 4 the-band is indicated as it would appear at the end of the forward or putting stroke where the head has been moved to position'fD.y The correct alignmentl of the bandv -with the stripelhowever, has not been maintained,- and the putter has beenmoved' i-n a directionf'awayfromI theA stripe-"So that thel properstraight forward-*stroking of the *ball has not taken place. The user of the device can,'='byvis ual-reference, ascertain `whether or `notvthel proper: straight backwardA andr forward stroke is being maintained'. In Fig.` 5` the'band 20is shown inthe position assumed at the end of theback stroketo position C. Herelagain the putter has been moved oitoone side" of'the stripe 16, and not in-a straight line movement as is required for proper-putting.

Itthas been foundl that' after practicing -with -this device, and subsequent 'to' removing they putter -from'the hole in the tension band, then after making a back stroke in a normal manner, the former practicing with Atension on the forwardstroke gives a far superior movement toward thetarget, and in a manner which very likely the golfer did not theretofore have.

Manifestly minor changes in details of construction can be effected by those skilled inthe art without departing fromthe Spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in and limited solely by theV appended claims.

I clairn:

l. A golf putting practice device comprising `a base, a straight stripeon. said bas'e, an elastic handhaving one end thereof secured to'said base andA in superimposed relation to said stripe, the free end of-saidband having a hole adapted for passage therethrough of a putter shaft andsaid ban-d" 'beingadapted to maintain tension on'the putter in varying amounts during a simulated putting stroke.

2. A golf putting practice device as claimed in claim l, said base comprising an elongated strip of elastic material and said stripe contrastingwith the surface of said base.

6. A golf putting practice device as claimed in claim l, said base comprising anfelongated strip of elastic material having at its ends openings adapted for coaction with fastening-means for said base.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,427,538 -Long Aug. 29, v1922 2.103,502 Webster Dee. 2s", 1937A vPoma-IGN PATENTS A436 Australia Jan. 2.9, 193i' 3. A golf puttingpractice device asclaimed in claim 2, 

